News & Media

Reconstruction Workshop "Package 2" Kicks Off at the Princess Juliana International Airport

Reconstruction Workshop

SIMPSON BAY, St. Maarten (June 06, 2019) - The Managing Board of the Princess Juliana International Airport - SXM announced they would be sharing the notable $100 million restoration plan during a week-long workshop with an internal core team to transform the hurricane damaged terminal building into a modern 21st century airport. The information was shared during the Reconstruction workshop of the "Package 2" operations, which kicked off at the former check-in area of the terminal building on June 10, through June 15, 2019. The airport is currently being operated from the "Package One" Temporary operations on the ground level.

This record investment is scheduled to get underway upon receipt of the funding by both the World Bank and the European Investment Bank (EIB) via a loan agreement.
The workshop’s curriculum entailed updates on the mold remediation process, an interior and exterior design scope, project review summary, project schedule and specifications review.

"What we have done is put together two teams, which includes internal employees, engineers which encompasses the Corgan company, which were contracted to design and lead the architectural works of the project," said Brian Mingo, CEO of SXM Airport. This historic investment to modernize the SXM Airport will not only ease travel through this major hub, but it will ensure our airport joins the ranks as one of the major terminals in the world. All administrative and design documents are in place to move full force ahead with this extensive process in due time."

"It took awhile because of the administrative procedures, funding, and arbitration proceedings with the insurance company. It has been an uphill battle, but we are proud to say that we have reached to this point of today’s kick off milestone and we are moving full speed ahead," declared the CEO.

"It’s a great intake at this point to see that we are finalizing the project’s design, whereby we will have the drawings upgraded from 90% to 100% completion," added Michel Hyman, COO of SXM Airport.

"I think this is the phase that we are anxiously looking forward to and I’m particularly elated to arrive at this milestone with our team and the Corgan company. This latest plan for the modernization of SXM Airport will build upon our efforts to improve this world-class facility and to enhance the traveler experience, following the reconstruction development," concluded Hyman.

The initiative supports the reconstruction of the passenger terminal facilities of the Princess Juliana International Airport to restore the airport’s function and to improve its resilience to future hurricanes. The planned works will include, amongst others, the replacement of the passenger boarding bridges, entrance doors, partitions, counters, electrical and IT systems, baggage handling system and security installations. The new passenger facilities will feature state-of-the-art technological improvements and security enhancements.

The project further includes the remaining mold remediation and cleaning process of the passenger terminal, which was also executed prior to the "Package 1" Temporary Operations, before moving back operations from the Arrivals and Departure temporary pavilions into the ground floor of the terminal building on December 14, 2018.

The announcement also falls in line with the forthcoming revisions of the master plan for the redevelopment of the airport, as led by the CEO, Brian Mingo and the Project Management team.